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American Academy of Pediatrics Recognizes Neurofeedback
EQ Advant-Edge
Format: Website
Publication Year: Submitted
Sources ID: 34196
Visibility: Public (group default)
Abstract: (Show)
In October of 2012 the American Academy of Pediatrics gave neurofeedback their top rating in application to the behavioral symptoms of ADHD. This means that neurofeedback has met the highest standards currently being applied to the appraisal of psychosocial interventions. In order to be ranked as a “Level 1 Best Support” treatment, neurofeedback had to be evaluated in at least two controlled studies of sufficient size, conducted by two independent groups. The method had to show itself to be superior to placebo, and to be equivalent in outcome to another level 1 or level 2 treatment. The clinical approach had to be manualizable.Two fairly recent studies carried the burden. The first study compared frequency-based training with slow-cortical-potential or SCP-based training. The comparison group got computerized attention skills training. Neurofeedback yielded the better outcomes in this relatively large study that involved some 102 children (Gevensleben et al., 2009). The second study was much smaller in size, involving some 20 children in two groups (15 actives, five controls). The distinguishing feature here was that fMRI data were acquired to document the changes induced with the neurofeedback training. These measurements yielded the expected confirming findings, manifesting localized changes in activation that were not seen in the control group. fMRI data were also taken during a continuous performance test, leading to the observation of additional features in the fMRI that discriminated between the experimental and control groups (Beauregard & Levesque, 2006; Levesque, Beauregard & Mensour, 2006).